I'd like to revive this topic just to give a quick shout-out to Stephan.

I recently picked up a(nother) problem with my Mk4 TDI. The VE pump was leaking and drawing air overnight. I contacted Stephan because I was actually planning to ask him to do the repair, owing to my "onheilige vrees" to touch TDI internals. We got chatting, and based on his busy schedule and my previous experience, he actually encouraged me to do this job myself, advocating (as he always does) to remove the pump rather than try and repair it in the car. After sourcing the seal kit from Bosch (VW no longer sells it), I went for it. It took a few days because I could only work on it in the evenings, and I am extremely careful on first-time jobs - some would say, overly careful. Throughout, he responded as best he could to my technical questions.

Well, the repair was, by all indications, a success, so all that remains is to fine-tune the pump timing. That's an excuse to go visit him!

Whole lot of added bonuses, I am now getting to a first name basis with the AHF engine, I made an 18 mm timing belt tensioner wrench, I spent a great weekend with my 8-year-old son watching and "helping", and while rolling the car in-gear to check the engine timing, I saw how worn out the DMF is.

Stephan, many thanks for the encouragement and remote support - I hope to make it up to you one day.